Zimbabwe’s ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera addresses the launch ceremony of the Seeds for the Future program in Harare, Zimbabwe, October 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Tafara Mugwara)
Africa should collectively invest in innovation hubs where countries pool resources and leverage their strengths for the benefit of the continent, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Postal Services and Couriers Tatenda Mavetera has said.
by Tafara Mugwara
CAPE TOWN, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) — African countries have been urged to work collectively to build future-proof digital infrastructure to bridge the continent’s connectivity gap.
Collective efforts on a continental scale will accelerate Africa’s digital transformation, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology and Postal Services, Tatenda Mavetera, said on the sidelines of the ongoing Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town, South Africa’s legislative capital.
“There is more cooperation that is needed to find out what skills each country has, what policies they have implemented and how they have been able to improve their infrastructure,” Mavetera told Xinhua in an interview on Monday.
Africa should collectively invest in innovation hubs where countries pool resources and leverage their strengths for the benefit of the continent, he said.
University students attend an ICT job fair during the launch of the Huawei Seeds for the Future 2022 program in Harare, Zimbabwe, on September 12, 2022. (Xinhua/Tafara Mugwara)
The minister applauded Africa’s digitization partners such as China’s Huawei for their role in building the continent’s digital infrastructure.
He said in addition to investing in Zimbabwe’s digital infrastructure, Huawei has invested extensively in nurturing ICT talent in the country through the Seeds for the Future programme, the Huawei ICT Academy and the Huawei ICT Competitions.
“I think this is very key, because in order to have a good future, we have to invest now for the future, so for me, I’m very happy that they are diving into the future,” Mavetera said.
A local student attends the graduation ceremony of Huawei’s Seeds for the Future program in Harare, Zimbabwe, September 11, 2020. (Xinhua/Tafara Mugwara)
Continental initiatives such as the Africa Tech Festival provide platforms for collaboration among African countries, he said.
The Africa Tech Festival, which runs from Monday to Wednesday, brings together government officials, business leaders, technology experts and investors, among others, to explore the future of Africa’s digital transformation.
The festival consists of two main events: AfricaCom 2023 and AfriTech.
AfricaCom 2023 focuses on connectivity infrastructure and digital inclusion issues with a focus on digital infrastructure investment, sustainable development and green ICT, among others.
AfriTech highlights business transformation and emerging technologies with a focus on Africa’s start-up scene, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, cyber security and data protection, among others. ■